Review of subtribe Singilina Jeannel, 1949, of the Middle East and Central Asia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini)

Abstract Species of the genus Singilis Rambur, 1837 (Phloeozeteus Peyron, 1856, syn. n., Agatus Motschulsky, 1845, syn. n.), occurring in the Middle East and Central Asia are reviewed, with 24 species now recognized in the region, including ten species described as new: Singilis makarovi sp. n. (Tajikistan), Singilis jedlickai sp. n. (Afghanistan), Singilis kolesnichenkoi sp. n. (Iran), Singilis kabakovi sp. n. (Afghanistan, Iran), Singilis timuri sp. n. (Uzbekistan), Singilis klimenkoi sp. n. (Iran), Singilis saeedi sp. n. (Iran), Singilis felixi sp. n. (UAE), Singilis kryzhanovskii sp. n. (Iran, Turkmenistan), and Singilis timidus sp. n. (Iran); Singilis libani (Sahlberg, 1913) is recognized as a valid species; and Singilis solskyi nom. n. is proposed as a replacement name for Agatus bicolor (Solsky, 1874, not Rambur 1837), now placed in Singilis as junior homonym. New synonymies include: Singilis cingulatus (Gebler, 1843) = Singilis jakeschi Jedlička, 1967, syn. n.; Singilis mesopotamicus Pic, 1901 = Singilis apicalis Jedlička, 1956, syn. n. A key to species is provided. Habitus and aedeagal illustrations are provided for all species. Distributional data include many new country records.


Introduction
This study aims to clarify the circumscription of the subtribe Singilina Jeannel, 1949, and the status of its member taxa. Until now, most species of this group have been poorly defined, rarely collected, and hard to identify. which are rectangular or slightly acute. Disc sparsely irregularly punctate, somewhat less densely than head; punctures at lateral margins confluent, surface rugose. Disc convex to lateral margins, which are very narrow. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, rugose, confluently punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow short and shallow.
Each interval with a row of setiferous pores along the middle from base to apex. Setae as long as the width of interval 2. Microsculpture almost isodiametric. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae deep, punctate. Intervals weakly convex at base, flat at apex.
Aedeagus - Fig. 28. Internal sac without apparent spicules or microtrichial patches. Variation. Varies in size, ventral colour, and the extent of dark elytral pattern (may be reduced).
Diagnosis. This species is most similar to S. flavipes, with diagnostic differences listed under that species.
Head microsculptured, deeply irregularly punctate, punctures sometimes almost confluent in frontal depressions, on the frons separated by 3-5 times their diameters, towards the base of head, by 1-2 diameters. Clypeus with a few punctures at lateral margins. Eyes large and bulging, with numerous moderately long setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples smooth, 4.2 times shorter than length of eye. Scape with a very long seta and a few long thin setae; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with scattered setae on apical half. Antennae pubescent from the mid-length of antennomere IV.
Pronotum shinier than head, microsculptured, cordate, 1.07 times as wide as head, 1.25-1.31 times as wide as long, widest just behind the marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular or slightly acute. Disc sparsely irregularly punctate, somewhat less densely than head; punctures at lateral margins confluent, surface rugose. Disc convex to lateral margins, which are very narrowly explanate. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, rugose, confluently punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow shallow and short.
Each interval with a row of setiferous pores along the middle from base to apex. Setae as long as the width of interval 2. Microsculpture almost isodiametric. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae deep, punctate. Intervals weakly convex at base, flat at apex.
Aedeagus - Fig. 29. Median lobe apex elongate, slightly downturned at narrowly rounded apex. Internal sac with two groups of large spines.
Variation. Varies in size and colour: venter all-black to all-red, elytral dark pattern sometimes reduced, head and pronotum sometimes blackish. Pronotal sides sometimes sinuate towards base, in which case hind angles acute.
Comments. The study of the holotype of Singilis jakeschi Jedlička, 1967, has shown that S. jakeschi is synonymous with Agatus cingulatus (Gebler, 1843). S. jakeschi was originally described based on a single female with reduced dark elytral pattern, taken from a large series of A. cingulatus collected in the same place, and determined by Jedlička as Singilis afgana and A. afghanus a. nigripes.
Distribution. Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, s. Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples long, smooth. Scape with a very long subapical seta and several short setae; pedicel and antennomere III each with a single band of apical setae. Antennae pubescent from the mid-length of antennomere IV.
Pronotum cordate, smooth, 1.1 times as wide as head and 1.27 times as wide as long, widest right behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides strongly sinuate towards base. Posterior angles acute, prominent. Lateral margin narrow. Discal punctation sparse and shallow, somewhat sparser than on head. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Lateral and basal setae long. Basal grooves punctiform. Pronotal base rugosely punctate, extended in a rounded median lobe. Microsculpture as on head.
Each interval of elytra with a single regular row of long sparse setae, interval 8 with two rows of setae. Setae as long as the width of interval 3 at its widest. Pores deep, punctiform, separated by three diameters. Microsculpture of elytra and scutellum irregularly polygonal, shallower than on head and pronotum. Elytral apices weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae deep and punctate. Intervals almost flat throughout.
Legs pale brownish. Tarsomere V with 4 pairs of ventral setae, two basal pairs very short. Claws with 3 denticles on basal half. Venter entirely brownish yellow. Episterna smooth. All abdominal sterna with long pubescence.
Distribution. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. Diagnosis. This species is most similar to the sympatric S. makarovi, new species. This species shares with S. makarovi the presence of 2-3 irregular and dense rows of big setiferous pores on all intervals of elytra, bearing long setae. The two species can be diagnosed easily by the propleura, wavy rugate in S. solskyi, smooth in S. makarovi.
Head microsculptured, deeply irregularly punctate, punctures near eyes sometimes almost confluent, on the frons separated by more than three diameters and on the vertex by 1-2 diameters. Clypeus sparsely punctate. Eyes large and bulging, with numerous strong setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples smooth. Scape with a very long seta and a few short thin setae scattered throughout; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with numerous setae on apical half. Antennae pubescent from the basal third of antennomere IV.
Pronotum shinier than head and elytra, 1.18 times as wide as head, 1.34 times as wide as long, widest in front of marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides very broadly and evenly rounded, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular. Disc shiny, very sparsely and irregularly punctate, punctures separated by 2-5 diameters, transversely confluent towards lateral margins. Lateral margins narrow, flat towards base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, rugose, confluently punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow fine and reduced. Microreticulation faint.
Elytra pubescent. Each interval with 1-2 irregular rows of setiferous pores from base to apex. Setae as long as mesotarsomere IV. Interval 7 flat, as wide as adjacent intervals. Microsculpture polygonal, deep and irregular, same as on head. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae slightly punctate, shallower on disc and at apices. Intervals slightly convex at base, flat at apex.
Tarsomere V with 5 pairs of ventral setae. Propleura rugose. Mes-and metepisterna smooth. Claws with 5 teeth, basal teeth very small. All abdominal sterna pubescent; pubescence long and dense, as on elytra.
Aedeagus - Fig. 30. Median lobe apex elongate, slightly downturned at narrowly rounded apex. Internal sac with one large and compact spicular field made up of mid size spines.
Diagnosis. This species is most similar to S. solskyi, with diagnostic differences listed under that species.
Head densely punctate, very distinctly microsculptured and pubescent; pubescence as long as on pronotum and elytra, and equal to the width of the sutural elytral interval. Punctures near eyes sometimes almost confluent, on the frons separated by over twice their diameter. Clypeus smooth, very distinctly microsculptured. Eyes large and bulging, with 4-5 long setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples very short, smooth. Scape with a very long subapical seta and several more, rather long, setae; pedicel with a band of setae; antennomere III with two bands of apical setae. Antennae pubescent from the basal third of antennomere IV.
Pronotum evenly setose, 1.22 times as wide as head, 1.36 times as wide as long, widest near marginal setae. Anterior margin weakly emarginate, anterior angles effaced, sides broadly evenly rounded, sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation uniform and deep, somewhat shallower than on the head, especially on the disc of pronotum. Lateral margin moderately explanate in basal half only. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, small, punctiform. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow fine, not reaching apical and basal margins. Microsculpture as on head.
Elytra: All intervals with confused punctation, conspicuous polygonal microsculpture and long, pale pubescence. Apices weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae deep and crenulate. Intervals almost flat on disc, slightly convex at base and flat towards apex. Scutellum smooth.
Aedeagus - Fig. 31. Aedeagal median lobe moderately broad, ventral margin straight nearly to apex. Apex broad, slightly downturned and expanded near broadly rounded tip. Internal sac with big size spines.
Head smooth, microsculptured, uniformly punctate, punctures separated by 1-2 their diameters. Clypeus impunctate. Eyes moderately convex, with a few relatively  long setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few thin setae towards the apex; pedicel with a single, apical band of setae; antennomere III with a few additional setae towards apex. Antennae pubescent from the basal fourth of antennomere IV.
Pronotum smooth, shinier than head, 1.14 times as wide as head, 1.2 times as wide as long, widest at marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles slightly prominent, sides very broadly and evenly rounded, conspicuously sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute. Punctation irregular, sparser and shallower than on the head. Explanate lateral margin rapidly widened from apex, broad and flat to slightly reflexed at base. Lateral and apical setae very long. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow variable. Microsculpture subtle, slightly transversely polygonal.
Elytra infuscate behind middle, infuscation may reach just one or two innermost intervals, or extend to lateral margins. Intervals 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 pubescent throughout, and interval 6 pubescent in apical half, each with an irregular row of large setiferous pores. Setae as long as the width of interval 4 at its widest. All intervals convex at basal third and slightly convex from there to apex. Interval 7 convex from base to mid-length. Microsculpture deep, irregularly polygonal. Apex slightly sinuate. Striae deep, punctate, shallower at apex.
Legs brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 3 pairs of ventral setae. Mes-and metepisterna smooth. Claws with 4 moderately long teeth. Venter evenly brownish yellow. All abdominal sterna pubescent, pubescence as long as on elytra.
Aedeagus - Fig. 32 Diagnosis. Among the species consisting of small-bodied beetles, with convex, subovate elytra and long pubescence, S. kolesnichenkoi is diag nosable by the smooth head, and almost smooth, cordate pronotum; rows of setiferous punctures on intervals 3-5 widely interrupted; setiferous pores on all intervals large; body coloration uniformly red brownish.
Head smooth, distinctly microsculptured, very sparsely minutely punctulate, punctures sometimes barely visible. Clypeus and labrum distinctly microsculptured. Eyes moderately large, each with 3 long setae behind. Second supraocular seta located immediately basad the posterior margin of eye. Temples long, smooth. Scape with a very long subapical seta and several small setae; pedicel and antennomere III each with a single band of apical setae. Antennae pubescent from the mid-length of antennomere IV.
Pronotum smooth, cordate, 1.07 times as wide as head, 1.3 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides broadly and regularly rounded, slightly sinuate towards base, posterior angles obtuse. Disc very sparsely punctate. Anterior margin with a few big punctures, basal part with large punctation reaching along lateral margins 1/3 of pronotal length. Lateral margin narrowly explanate from apex, slightly wider at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow long and fine. Microsculpture as on the head.
Elytra suboval, convex, with strong polygonal microsculpture. Each interval with a series of very large setiferous pores in a single row. In the discal part of intervals 2-5 pores may be smaller or rows interrupted. Setae as long as the combined width of intervals 1 and 2. Scutellum smooth and shiny, without microsculpture. Elytral apices truncate, weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae crenulate at base, finely punctate elsewhere. Intervals slightly convex.
Legs pale brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 2 pairs of short ventral setae. Claws with 4 minute denticles near base. Abdominal sterna smooth, shiny, with sparse short setae. Diagnosis. Among the quartet of species consisting of small-bodied beetles, with subovate elytra and long pubescence (Figs 8-11), easily distinguishable by the single uninterrupted row of widely spaced setiferous pores on all elytral intervals and uniformly yellow brownish coloration.
Description. Length 4.7-5.1 mm. Uniformly yellow-brown, legs paler ( Fig. 10). Head smooth, very distinctly microsculptured, finely punctulate, punctures separated by 2 to 4 diameters. Clypeus impunctate. Eyes large and bulging, with 2-3 short setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short, smooth. Scape with a very long subapical seta and several short setae; pedicel and antennomere III each with a single band of apical setae. Antennae pubescent from mid-length of antennomere IV.
Pronotum smooth, 1.08 times as wide as head, 1.38 times as wide as long, widest right behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides almost straight basad the widest point. Posterior angles obtuse. Lateral margin narrow, 2-3 transverse wrinkles at base. Discal punctation sparse and shallow, somewhat sparser than on head. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Lateral and basal setae long. Basal grooves punctiform. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow deep and short. Microsculpture as on head.
Elytra shinier than head and pronotum. Each interval with a single irregular row of sparse setae; setae longer than the width of interval 3 at its widest. Setiferous pores large and flat, sparser on intervals 3 and 5 than elsewhere. Microsculpture polygonal, more delicate than on head and pronotum. Apices weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae very finely punctate. Intervals slightly convex at base and flat at apex. Scutellum microsculpture as on elytra.
Tarsomere V with 4 pairs of ventral setae, two basal pairs very short. Claws with 3 denticles in basal half. Venter brownish yellow throughout. Episterna smooth. Abdominal sterna with long pubescence.
Aedeagus - Fig. 33. Aedeagal median lobe moder ately broad, ventral surface straight at midlength, api cal fourth of lobe slightly downturned, tip long. Internal sac with compact field of large spines.
Name derivation. Named after Alexei Klimenko who collected the specimens.
Description. Length 5.1 mm. Red-brown with apical half of elytra black; anterior margin of the dark area blurry and perpendicular to suture (Fig. 11).
Head sparsely feebly punctate on the frons and between eyes, with punctures separated by 4 to 7 diameters, deeply and densely punctate elsewhere, with punctures separated by their diameter towards head base. Head and clypeus very distinctly microsculptured throughout. Clypeus smooth. Head pubescent, pubescence as long as on pronotum and elytra and as long as width of second interval. Eyes moderately large and bulging, with 4-5 long setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short, smooth. Scape with a very long subapical seta and several more, rather long, setae; pedicel with a band of setae; antennomere III with two apical bands of setae. Antennae pubescent from the basal third of antennomere IV. Pronotum 1.22 times as wide as head, 1.33 times as wide as long, widest near marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides broadly and regularly rounded, sinuate at base, posterior angles rectangular. Punctation confused and coarse, punctures large, shallower and larger towards the furrow and anterior angles. Disc convex, uniformly setose. Lateral margin slightly explanate in basal half only. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves flat, densely punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow deep, almost reaching anterior margin and ended short of the base by length of antennomere III. Microsculpture as on head.
Elytra subovate, with polygonal microsculpture. Each interval with a series of large setiferous pores in a single irregular row. Scutellum smooth. Elytral apices truncate, weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae deep and slightly crenulate. Intervals slightly convex.
Legs red-brown. Protarsomere IV small and narrow. Tarsomere V with 4 pairs of ventral setae. Claws with 3 long apical teeth and one tiny denticle. Abdominal sterna black, pubescent throughout. Prosternum, propleura and mesepisterna smooth.
Aedeagus - Fig. 34. Aedeagal median shaft slightly arcuate between basal bulb and elongate, narrow apex with tightly rounded tip. Internal sac with few large spines.
Name derivation. Named after Timur (Tamerlane), the fourteenth-century conqueror of Asia.
Singilis discoidalis (Mateu, 1986 Diagnosis. Most similar in overall appearance and small size to S. turcicus, but with pronotum strongly transverse and pronotal punctures spaced twice as far apart as those on the head. Redescription. Length 4.5-4.8 mm. Winged. Ferrugineous or testaceous red with a dark preapical sutural spot reaching interval 4 or 5 (Fig. 16).
Head obtuse, rather wide, slightly convex to flat between the eyes, with numerous large and deep punctures (mixed with wrinkles near eyes) that become sparser towards the neck. Frons without punctures. Eyes large and convex.
Pronotum punctate, slightly wrinkled, transverse, subconvex, considerably broader than head, strongly rounded in front, with anterior angles effaced. Sides rounded, with a long sinuation in front of posterior angles, which are acute. Pronotal margin broadly explanate, basal impressions fairly deep. Pronotal base projected at the middle, median furrow moderately wide and deep.
Elytra approximately 1/3 longer than broad, sides subparallel, almost obliquely truncate at apex which is weakly sinuate. Striae, including the scutellar stria, fairly deep and finely punctate; intervals weakly convex, with two pores on interval 3.
Microsculpture strong, especially on forebody where the cells are small and rather isodiametric, but cells become more transverse towards the sides of pronotum. Elytra with finer microsculpture of larger, subquadrate cells, and thus appearing shinier than the forebody.
In male, protarsomeres I-III slightly dilated. Aedeagus - Fig. 35. Aedeagal median lobe elongate, straight, with notch in middle, emphasized by a thickening in the manner of a sagittal crest. Tip of aedeagus slightly curved to right. Internal sac with small spicular field made up of small spines.
Head microsculptured, deeply and uniformly punctate, punctures separated by about their diameter but denser in frontal depressions. Clypeus with few scattered  (Jedlička, 1963a), Holotype 13 S. turcicus (Armenia, Syunik prov., E Meghri, Artsvakar gorge) 14 S. mesopotamicus Pic, 1901 (S Iran, 65km  punctures. Eyes large and bulging, with 4-5 very short setae at posterior margin. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few short thin setae towards the apex; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of setae (at mid-length and at apex). Antennae pubescent from mid-length of antennomere IV.
Pronotum 1.21-1.27 times as wide as head, 1.42-1.45 times as wide as long, widest just behind the marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides very broadly and regularly rounded, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular or slightly acute, protruded as minute denticle. Discal punctation similar to that of head, but shinier due to more delicate microsculpture. Pronotum at apex and base rugulose and densely punctate. lateral margins narrowly explanate from anterior angle to lateral setae, then widened basally, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore anterad angle. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow short and fine.
Elytra in the middle 1.36-1.4 times as long as wide. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 each with minute setae visible only in lateral view at high magnification, and two irregular rows of minute sparse setiferous pores from base to apex. Interval 7 convex in basal half and narrower than interval 6. Microsculpture polygonal. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae slightly punctate, shallower on disc and towards apex. Intervals slightly convex at base, flat at apex.
Variation. Varies in body size and extent of dark elytral pattern (complete band to faint spot).
Distribution. Armenia (country record), Iran (country record), Israel (country record), Turkey. Diagnosis. Very similar in both external and aedeagal anatomy to S. turcicus. The widespread S. mesopotamicus somewhat varies in size, pronotal punctation, and elytral pattern. Endophallic anatomy in each species is rather uniform throughout its range, and the differences are minor and require further study. S. turcicus tends to be smaller, with elytra shorter and wider than in S. mesopotamicus, while the latter has a more transverse pronotum. In S. turcicus, the elytral spot is located immediately behind the middle, often restricted to innermost intervals, and never reaches elytral apices that are widely red-brown; while in S. mesopotamicus the spot is a bit farther posteriorly and usually reaches the apices (sometimes narrowly red-brown). Endophallic spine size is clearly different; small spines more numerous than in S. turcicus.

Singilis mesopotamicus
Redescription. Length 5.0-6.3 mm. Yellowish brown, elytra behind the middle with piceous spot that may reach apical and lateral margins but sometimes not extended beyond interval 6 and often leaving elytral apices brownish red (Figs 14-15).
Head microsculptured and deeply irregularly punctate, punctures sometimes almost confluent in frontal depressions, on the frons separated by more than 3 diameters. Clypeus with a few punctures near base. Eyes large and bulging, with no setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta and a few short thin setae; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of setae (at mid-length and at apex). Antennae pubescent from the basal third of antennomere IV.
Pronotum pale yellow, sometimes shinier than head, 1.16-1.18 times as wide as head, 1.4-1.47 times as wide as long, widest just behind the marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced to slightly marked, sides very broadly and even-ly rounded, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular (normally) to subacute. Punctation, especially on disc, normally sparser and more delicate than on head; confluent and rugose towards lateral and posterior margins. Lateral explanate margin rapidly widens basad lateral setae, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow variable. Microsculpture isodiametric.
Elytra 1.45-1.52 times as long as width in the middle. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 each with minute setae and two irregular rows of pores from base to apex, often poorly visible. Even intervals may also bear a few setae in apical areas. Interval 7 convex and narrower than the adjacent intervals. Microsculpture nearly isodiametric. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae narrow and slightly punctate. Intervals slightly convex at base and flat behind the middle.
Legs brownish yellow. Metatarsomere V with 3-4 pairs of ventral setae. Propleura slightly wavy rugose towards sternum and coxae. Claws with 5 teeth. Venter brownish yellow throughout. All abdominal sterna pubescent; pubescence as short as on metatarsomere IV.
Variation. Varies in size, elytral pattern (dark spot may be reduced), shape of posterior pronotal angles (usually acute and prominent but may be rectangular and less prominent). In almost all specimens from Afghanistan the apical spot reaches elytral apices, and the series of punctures in intervals 5 and 7 are shorter. Pakistani specimens have more convex elytral intervals.
S. plagiatus mesopotamicus Pic, 1901, was described from Baghdad. The original description says that the type is in coll. Pic (MNHN), but my attempts to locate it have been unsuccessful. However, 4 specimens of S. apicalis labeled "Bagdad" I've found in MNHN match the original description of S. p. mesopotamicus. All other Singilis specimens (14 total) from Baghdad area I have examined were S. apicalis. Therefore I presume S. apicalis to be synonymous with S. mesopotamicus.
Distribution. Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq (country record), Pakistan (country record), Turkey (country record), Turkmenistan. Diagnosis. This species can be recognised easily by the wide and small size body (4.8-5.4 mm), strongly transverse, very densely punctate pronotum and uniformly yellow pale body colour.
Head pale yellowish red-brown, slightly darker than pronotum, very distinctly microsculptured and very coarsely and deeply irregularly punctate. Punctures sometimes almost confluent, sometimes separated by over two diameters. Clypeus twice as long as labrum. Eyes very large and bulging, with a few small setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples very short, smooth. Scape with a very long subapical seta and several rather long setae; pedicel and antennomere III each with a single band of apical setae. Antennae pubescent from the mid-length of antennomere IV. Antennomeres IV and V each slightly shorter than antennomere III. Antennomere V 2.5 times as long as wide at apex.
Pronotum 1.25 times as wide as head, 1.57 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides broadly and evenly rounded, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute and form a minute denticle. Punctation coarse, irregular and deep, somewhat sparser than on head, especially on the disc. Punctures sometimes confluent, especially towards the sides of disc. Lateral explanate margin narrow at apex, rapidly widened basally. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow very short and fine and does not reach anterior margin (by about the length of antennomere I) or the base. Microsculpture as on head.
Elytra generally concolorous with pronotum, with the apical third perhaps slightly darker. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 with several minute, barely visible setae. Microsculpture lighter than on head and pronotum, so elytra seem shinier than head and pronotum. Scutellum with similar microsculpture. Elytral apices weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae shallow, crenulate. Interval 8 convex over most of its length, slightly flattened towards apex; interval 7 convex only at shoulder; other intervals slightly convex near base and flat at apex.
Variation. In the holotype, last abdominal sternum with 6 setae (3 on each side), irregularly placed. One of the paratypes has 4 setae (two on each side) and one has 5 setae: 3 on one side and 2 on the other.
Aedeagus - Fig. 38. Aedeagal median lobe straight euventrally for much of length between basal bulb and slightly downturned, elongate, narrow apex with tightly rounded tip. Internal sac without apparent spicules.
Distribution. UAE, Oman (country record). Diagnosis. This species is most similar to S. libani, sharing a body form and coloration pattern, but is smaller and can be diagnosed easily by pronotum, i.e., S. libani has strongly transverse and very densely punctate pronotum. The aedeagal median lobe apex is broader and shorter than in S. libani.
Redescription. Length 5.1-5.9 mm. Head and pronotum brown; elytra piceous to black, with paler lateral margins and a poorly defined triangular area in basal ¼, sometimes extended along suture (Fig. 23).
Head very deeply and densely punctate, strongly microsculptured; punctures sometimes confluent near eyes, separated by a diameter on the vertex. Clypeus impunctate. Eyes large and bulging, with a few very short setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few short thin setae; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of setae (at midlength and at apex). Antennae pubescent from mid-length of antennomere IV. Pronotum 1.23-1.27 times as wide as head, 1.45-1.5 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles slightly prominent, sides very broadly and evenly rounded, slightly to conspicuously sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute. Punctation coarse, irregular and deep, somewhat sparser towards furrow, rugose and confluent towards lateral margins. Lateral explanate margin rapidly widened from the apex, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, rugose, confluently punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow variable. Microsculpture strong, slightly transverse.

Aedeagus -
Variation. Varies in body size, in the extent of pale area at elytral base (may be reduced), and depth and length of the pronotal furrow.
Head deeply microsculptured, very deeply and densely punctate, less or no more than one diameter distance from each other. Clypeus punctate in posterior half. Eyes big and prominent, with no short setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few short thin setae towards the apex; pedicel with numerous setae in apical half; antennomere III pubescent towards apex. Antennae pubescent almost from the base of antennomere IV. Pronotum 1.30-1.37 times as wide as head, 1.57 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin emarginate, anterior angles slightly prominent, sides very broadly rounded, not sinuate at posterior angles, which are rectangular and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation very coarse, as dense or denser than on head. Lateral explanate margin rapidly widened from the apex, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, rugose, confluently punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow usually shallow, fine, and incomplete. Microsculpture same as on head.
Elytra piceous to black, sometimes with base narrowly paler. Intervals 1 and 7 with a single row, 3 and 5 with two rows of irregular setiferous pores. Setae minute, barely visible. Interval 7 convex and narrow in basal half. Microsculpture polygonal to almost isodiametric. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae deep, punctate. All intervals convex at base, slightly convex at apex; outer intervals convex throughout.
Distribution. Israel, Lebanon, Syria. ( Diagnosis. Among the species consisting of beetles with strongly transverse and very densely punctate pronotum, easily diag nosable by bicoloured elytra, with apical half black.
Head very coarsely and deeply punctate on the sides and towards base, more sparsely on the frons, and very distinctly microsculptured. Punctures near eyes often confluent. Clypeus smooth, with distinctly microsculpture. Eyes large and bulging, with no short setae at the posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples very short, smooth. Scape with several setae besides the very long subapical one; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III in apical half with several setae besides the usual apical ones. Antennae pubescent from the basal fourth of antennomere IV.
Pronotum transverse, 1.17 times as wide as head, 1.4-1.48 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced or faintly marked, sides broadly and evenly rounded, sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute. Punctation coarse and irregular, punctures (especially on disc) generally smaller and sparser than on head, sometimes confluent (especially on the sides of disc). Lateral explanate margin uniform near apex, rapidly widened, wide and flat towards base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow variable. Microsculpture less distinct than on head. Elytra shinier than head and pronotum. Each interval with 1-2 rows of minute, inconspicuous setae. Microsculpture more delicate than on head and pronotum. Apices weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae slightly punctate, deep at base and at shoulders, shallower on disc. Interval 7 not much more convex and narrow than interval 6. Intervals slightly convex at base, flat at apex.
Legs brownish yellow. Protarsomere V with 3 pairs of ventral setae, metatarsomere V with 4 pairs. Claws with 4 teeth. All abdominal sterna pubescent, pubescence as long as on tarsi.
Variation. Varies in body size, density and size of pronotal punctures, and length of furrow.
Comments. Type locality per original description is Beirut (Reiche and Saulcy 1855: 578-579 Diagnosis. This species is most similar to the allopatric S. jedlickai, new species. The two species can be diagnosed easily by microsculpture of pronotum, i.e., S. jedlickai has conspicuously microreticulate pronotum. The aedeagus also differs dramatically (Figs 42-43).
Head shiny, densely minutely punctate, punctures sometimes almost confluent in frontal depressions, separated by 1-2 diameters on the frons. Microsculpture scarcely visible. Clypeus with a few punctures near lateral margins. Eyes large and bulging, with 3-4 setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples smooth, 2.6 times as short as length of eye. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few short thin setae towards the apex; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of setae (at mid-length and at apex). Antennae pubescent from mid-length of antennomere IV.  Peyerimhoff, 1907 (Israel, Negev) 25 S. jedlickai sp. n., Holotype 26 S. felixi sp. n., Paratype (Oman bor., Prov. Batinah) 27 S. persicus (Jedlička, 1961a), Holotype.
Pronotum shiny, without microsculpture, 1.12-1.14 times as wide as head, 1.33-1.4 times as wide as long, widest just behind the marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides evenly rounded, considerably to slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation, especially on disc, sparse, irregular, somewhat sparser than on head, denser towards lateral margins, where may be confluent and rugose. Lateral explanate margin widened basad lateral setae, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves small and shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow fine.
Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 each from base to apex with an irregular row of sparse pores bearing extremely short, barely visible setae. At humerus, interval 7 flat or weakly convex and as wide as the adjacent intervals. Microsculpture delicate, polygonal. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae finely punctate. Intervals slightly convex at base and almost flat at apex.
Distribution. Egypt, Israel. Iraq and Saudi Arabia records need confirmation.
Head densely finely punctate, slightly isodiametrically microsculptured; punctures confluent and rugose near eyes, separated by 1 to 3 diameters on the frons. Clypeus smooth. Eyes large and bulging, with 3-4 short setae at the posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples smooth, 2.6 times as short as eye length. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few short thin setae towards the apex; pedicel with the usual band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of setae, at the middle and apex. Antennae pubescent from mid-length of antennomere IV.
Pronotum 1.13 times as wide as head, 1.28 times as wide as long, widest just behind the marginal setae. Anterior margin slightly concave, sides behind marginal setae straight, sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation sparse, irregular, punctures (especially on disc) sparser than on head, transversely rugose and confluent along lateral margins. Lateral explanate margin widened from the marginal setae, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves small and shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow thin. Microsculpture faint, isodiametric.
Elytra elongate, in middle 1.46 times as long as wide. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 with conspicuous pores bearing minute, barely visible setae. Microsculpture polygonal. Apices slightly sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae deep and minutely punctate. Intervals 3-7 convex at humerus, gradually flattened towards apices; other intervals slightly convex at base and almost flat at apex.
Legs pale brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 4 pairs of ventral setae. Claws with three long and one small basal teeth. Venter entirely brownish yellow. Propleuron faintly rugose, episterna smooth. All abdominal sterna with short pubescence.
Aedeagus - Fig. 43. Aedeagal median lobe broad, ventral surface almost straight to apex, api cal fourth of lobe slightly downturned. Apex of median lobe long and expanded slightly near rounded tip. Internal sac with huge fields of numerous long and large spines.
Name derivation. Named after the eminent Czech coleopterist Arnost Jedlička. Distribution. Known from a single male from Kaboul, Afghanistan. Extremely similar to S. persicus, can be diagnosed based on the length of hairs on abdominal sterna. In S. felixi the hairs are long, the same or at least 2/3 of length of the apical setae (shorter in S. persicus); odd intervals of elytra in S. felixi with easily visible short setae along striae (tiny and difficult to see in S. persicus).
Head deeply irregularly punctate, microsculptured, punctures sometimes almost confluent in frontal depressions, separated by over three diameters on the frons. Clypeus with few punctures near lateral margins. Eyes large and bulging, with a few short setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few short thin setae towards apex; pedicel with the usual band of apical   setae; antennomere III with two bands of setae at mid-length and at apex. Antennae pubescent from mid-length of antennomere IV.
Pronotum shinier than head and elytra, 1.16-1.18 times as wide as head, 1.39-1.42 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides very broadly and evenly rounded, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation coarse, irregular, deep, somewhat sparser than on head, especially on disc; rugose and confluent at apical and basal margins. Lateral explanate margin rapidly widened from the apex, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, rugose, confluently punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow deep and complete. Microsculpture faint.
Elytra pale yellowish red-brown, with red brown apices and piceous preapical spot reaching lateral margins (may be reduced to five inner intervals). Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 each with minute setae and a row of pores from base to apex. Interval 7 flat, as wide as adjacent intervals. Microsculpture deep, irregular, polygonal, same as on head. Apices slightly sinuate. Striae slightly punctate, shallower on disc and at apex. Intervals slightly convex near base, flat at apex.
Legs brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 3 pairs of ventral setae. Mes-and metepisterna slightly punctate. Claws with 5 teeth. Venter entirely light brownish yellow. All abdominal sterna with pubescence more than twice as long as protarsomere IV.
Aedeagus (Fig. 44), internal sac without apparent spines. Variation. Varies in body size; elytral spot sometimes reduced. Pronotal basal angles usually acute and prominent but sometimes rectangular and less prominent.
Name derivation. Named after Ron Felix, my friend and collaborator who discovered this species.
Head microsculptured and rather coarsely punctate. Clypeus punctate in basal half. Eyes with a few small setae at the posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with  a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few short thin setae towards the apex; pedicel with a band of apical setae; antennomere III with a few setae on apical half. Antennae pubescent from the basal fourth of antennomere IV.
Pronotum brownish yellow, shinier than head and elytra, 1.2 times as wide as head, 1.46 times as wide as long, widest behind the marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, lateral margin very broadly and evenly rounded from anterior angle to marginal setae, almost straight behind that point, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation sparse, especially on disc, rugose and confluent at apical and basal margins. Lateral explanate margin widened behind marginal setae, broad and flat at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow, rugose, confluently punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow deep and complete. Microsculpture faint.
Elytra: striae fine, finely punctate. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 with extremely tiny and short setae and row of small pores from base to apex, very difficult to see. Interval 7 at shoulder slightly convex and narrower than the adjacent ones. Microsculpture deep, irregular, polygonal. Intervals slightly convex at base and almost flat at apex.
Legs brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 3 pairs of ventral setae. Episterna of mesoand metathorax slightly punctate. Claws with 3-4 obtuse teeth. Venter entirely light brownish yellow. All abdominal sterna with pubescence short, no longer than protarsomere IV.
Male unknown. Distribution. Iran. Diagnosis. This new species shares with S. klimenkoi and S. saeedi the overall appearance and uniformly brownish yellow body coloration. It differs from S. klimenkoi by its larger size and by the short and thin setae on elytral intervals. From S. saeedi it is differentiated by the presence of weak setiferous pores along only odd elytral intervals, i.e. all elytral intervals of S. saeedi with pores along striae. The aedeagus also differs dramatically.

Singilis kryzhanovskii
Description. Length 6.3-6.5 mm. Uniformly yellowish red-brown (Fig. 20). Head very coarsely and deeply irregularly punctate, with distinct isodiametric microsculpture, punctures confluent near eyes, separated by over three diameters on the frons. Clypeus smooth, with a few small punctures near base. Eyes very large and bulging. Second supraocular seta just before the level of the posterior margin of the eye. Temples very short, smooth. Scape smooth, with one very long     Pic, 1901 (Iran: Kerman, Qohrud mts., 10 km E Korin). and 3-4 short subapical setae; pedicel with the usual band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of apical setae. Antennae pubescent from the basal third of antennomere IV.
Pronotum 1.16 times as wide as head, 1.36-1.42 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced, sides broadly and evenly rounded, slightly sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation irregular, punctures (especially on disc) shallower and sparser than on head, confluent at basal grooves. Lateral explanate margin even from apex to marginal setae, then rapidly widened and flat. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow deep. Microsculpture as on head.
Elytra subparallel, 1.4 times as long as wide. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 with small pores bearing minute inconspicuous setae. Microsculpture as on pronotum. Apical edge straight, rounded at suture. Striae deep, slightly punctate. Intervals 4-8 convex in basal half, gradually flattened towards apex; other intervals slightly convex at base and flat at apex.
Legs pale brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 5 pairs of ventral setae. Claws with 5 teeth. Episterna all smooth. Abdominal sterna with long pubescence.
Aedeagus - Fig. 45. Aedeagal median lobe moder ately broad, ventral surface straight at midlength, api cal fourth of lobe slightly downturned. Apex of median lobe long and expanded slightly near rounded tip. Internal sac with numerous long and large spines.
Variation. In the holotype, elytral intervals are more convex and striae more crenulate than in the paratype, whose striae are almost smooth. However the aedeagal configuration is identical, and so the two specimens are considered conspecific.
Name derivation. Named after the eminent Russian coleopterist Oleg Kryzhanovsky.
Distribution. Iran, Turkmenistan. Diagnosis. This new species shares with S. klimenkoi and S. kryzhanovskii the overall appearance and body coloration, but differs from S. klimenkoi by the short and thin setae on elytral intervals. From the other it is differentiated by smaller body size, and presence of weak setiferous pores along all elytral striae, i.e. S. kryzhanovskii has only on odd elytral intervals.
Description. Length 5.7-6.7 mm. Uniformly yellowish red-brown (Fig. 21). Head very coarsely and deeply punctate on sides and towards the base, more sparsely on the frons; punctures near eyes often confluent. Head with very distinct Figure 38. Aedeagus of S. fuscoflavus (Felix & Muilwijk, 2009) (Oman).   microsculpture. Clypeus smooth, with distinct microsculpture. Eyes large and bulging, with no short setae at the posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples very short, smooth. Scape with several setae besides the very long subapical one; pedicel with the usual band of apical setae; antennomere III in apical half with several setae besides the usual apical ones. Antennae pubescent from the basal fourth of antennomere IV.
Pronotum 1.17 times as wide as head, 1.4-1.48 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles effaced to faintly marked, sides broadly and evenly rounded, sinuate towards posterior angles, which are acute. Punctation coarse, irregular, punctures (especially on disc) generally smaller and sparser than on head, sometimes confluent (especially on the sides of disc). Lateral explanate margin uniform near apex, rapidly widened, wide and flat towards base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow variable. Microsculpture less distinct than on head.
Elytra shinier than head and pronotum. Each interval with 1-2 rows of minute, inconspicuous setae. Microsculpture more delicate than on head and pronotum. Apices weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae slightly punctate, deep at base and at shoulders, shallower on disc. Interval 7 not much more convex and narrow than interval 6. Intervals slightly convex at base, flat at apex.
Legs brownish yellow. Protarsomere V with 3 pairs of ventral setae, metatarsomere V with 4 pairs. Claws with 4 teeth. Abdominal pubescence as long as tarsal, with no long setae.
Aedeagus - Fig. 46. Aedeagal median lobe stout, eudorsal surface slightly curved, api cal third of lobe downturned, apex broad. Internal sac with three long and large spines and one field of small spicules.
Variation. Varies in body size, density and size of pronotal punctures, and length of furrow.
Name derivation. Named after my friend Saeed Mobarra. Distribution. Iran.    and reasonably matching the original description of S. hirtipennis; I tentatively determined it as S. loeffleri; if true, S. loeffleri should be considered a junior synonym of S. hirtipennis, but resolving this case would require examining the type of the latter. Jedlička, 1963b http://species-id.net/wiki/Singilis_loeffleri Singilis loeffleri Jedlička 1963b: 176
Diagnosis. In S. loeffleri, the apex of the aedeagus is short and robust (long and slender in S. turcicus, Fig. 36), and the entire propleuron smooth (subrugose near coxae in S. turcicus).
Head smooth, microsculptured, deeply irregularly punctate, punctures sometimes almost confluent near eyes, separated by 3 to 6 diameters on the front and by their diameter towards head base. Clypeus impunctate. Eyes large and bulging, with a few short setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short and smooth. Scape with a very long seta at 2/3 of its length and a few thin setae towards the apex; pedicel irregularly setose throughout; antennomere III with numerous setae in apical 2/3. Antennae pubescent from the basal fourth of antennomere IV.
Pronotum red-brown, smooth, shinier than head, 1.21 times as wide as head, 1.34 times as wide as long, widest right behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles slightly prominent, sides very broadly and regularly rounded, slightly to moderately sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular to acute. Punctation irregular, sparser and shallower than on the head, sparse on the disc and denser towards base. Lateral explanate margin rapidly widened from apex, broad and elevated at base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves punctate. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow short and shallow. Microsculpture weak, slightly transversely polygonal.
Elytra red-brown, with piceous to black postmedian band reaching lateral margins. Intervals 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 setose, with a single irregular row of pores all along. All intervals setose at base, convex on basal third and slightly convex beyond that. Interval 7 convex from base to the middle. Microsculpture deep, irregular, polygonal. Apical margin slightly sinuate. Striae deep, punctate, shallower towards the apices.
Legs brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 3 pairs of ventral setae. Mes-and metepisterna smooth. Claws with 4 teeth. Venter entirely light brownish yellow. Abdominal sterna pubescent throughout, pubescence as long as protarsomere II.
Aedeagus - Fig. 47. Aedeagal median lobe moderate ly broad dorsoventrally, ventral margin straight nearly to apex; apex with evenly rounded tip that is not downturned.    Jedlička, 1963b, Holotype. Variation. Elytral band may be reduced to a spot not reaching beyond interval 4. Pronotal and elytral punctures vary in size.
Distribution. Iran. Diagnosis. This new species can be confused with specimens of sympatric S. mesopotamicus with reduced elytral pattern. The two species can be diagnosed by aedeagal structure.
Head coarsely and deeply irregularly punctate, dull, very distinctly microsculptured. Punctures in the frons sometimes separated by over twice the diameter. Clypeus with some small irregular punctures. Eyes very large and bulging, with no small setae at posterior margin. Second supraocular seta located just anterad the posterior margin of eye. Temples short, smooth. Scape with several rather long setae besides the very long subapical one; pedicel with the usual band of apical setae; antennomere III with two bands of apical setae. Antennae pubescent from the basal third of antennomere IV.
Pronotum brownish yellow, 1.24 times as wide as head, 1.4 times as wide as long, widest just behind marginal setae. Anterior margin straight, anterior angles slightly marked, sides broadly and evenly rounded, more or less sinuate towards posterior angles, which are rectangular and protrude as minute denticle. Punctation coarse, irregular and deep, as dense as on head, somewhat sparser on disc and sometimes confluent, especially at the sides of disc. Lateral explanate margin rather wide at apex, rapidly widened basally, broad and flat towards base. Posterior pore right in front of angle. Basal grooves shallow. Pronotal base extended in a rounded median lobe. Furrow variable. Microsculpture less distinct than on head.
Elytra shinier than head and pronotum, 1.4 times as long as wide. Intervals 1, 3, 5 and 7 each with a row of setiferous pores. Pores of intervals 5 and 7 deep, with rather long setae. Intervals 2 and 4 with several minute setae at base. Microsculpture rather isodiametric but irregular, more delicate than on head and pronotum. Apices weakly obliquely sinuate, rounded at suture. Striae deep and crenulate. Interval 7 narrow and convex in basal half, then gradually flattened; other intervals convex at base, almost flat at apex.
Legs pale brownish yellow. Tarsomere V with 4 pairs of ventral setae. Claws with 4 teeth. Venter uniformly testaceous. All abdominal sterna with long pubescence. All episterna smooth.

Variation.
Posterior pronotal angles almost rectangular in the holotype, more prominent and acute in the paratype.
Name derivation. The name (Latin, adjective: timid) refers to the cryptic lifestyle. Distribution. Iran.

Key to species of Singilis
1 Body elongate (Figs 1-3 Pronotal sides sinuate in front of base, hind angles acute (Fig. 1) setae. Pronotum more strongly transverse, sparsely and irregular punctate, less dense than on the head, disc almost without punctures, slightly rugose (Fig. 27) Hairs on abdominal sterna long, the same or at least 2/3 of length of the apical setae. Pronotum weakly transverse, regularly punctate. (Fig. 26)